tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21781497766522153372018-05-20T20:25:53.064-05:00Love In Action's blogThis blog is written by Ken Tuck, the president of Love In Action International Ministries. On this blog site you will find out what's going on with Love In Action, and other thoughts from Ken.Ken Tuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17116738426773383623noreply@blogger.comBlogger434125LoveInActionsBloghttps://feedburner.google.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178149776652215337.post-85196672187775510652018-05-20T20:25:00.000-05:002018-05-20T20:25:53.057-05:00Successful Homeless Stand Down<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DzulPDgFnUQ/WwIaULs4-mI/AAAAAAAAA1U/UR5fOWLJ7O89MBGKfd6jGu_H3NcZCEt2QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1227" data-original-width="1600" height="306" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DzulPDgFnUQ/WwIaULs4-mI/AAAAAAAAA1U/UR5fOWLJ7O89MBGKfd6jGu_H3NcZCEt2QCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_7335.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Martha organizing T-shirts at the SEACH Homeless Stand Down.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Saturday is the one day we can sleep in after a long week of work, right? Not for nearly 100 volunteers who served at the Southeast Alabama Coalition for the Homeless outreach this past Saturday, May 19.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">SEACH is a group of ministries and agencies who work together to end homelessness in Dothan and the Wiregrass. It's a show of unity that's not usually seen in most areas. We are thankful for that unity and cooperation. When we all work together, not worried about who gets the credit, the more people we can help and work we can accomplish.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The SEACH Homeless Stand Down is held every spring and fall. One of the goals of the event is to provide much-needed, life-necessary items to our homeless friends throughout Dothan. Tents, bug repellent, food, Coleman stoves, propane, hygiene items and sleeping bags are items the homeless need to survive.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">We look at this as a hand-up, not a handout. The goal is to help the homeless come off the streets. To get there is a process. It's not as easy as saying, "Get a job and get your own place." I wish it was that simple. It takes time, but it's a process that can be done. I've seen many of the homeless over the years successfully come off the streets.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">We are so blessed to live in a community filled with people who help when they know of a need. The community responded once again and provided items to fill 97 bags for the homeless. Ministries and agencies who work with the homeless interviewed and filled out forms on the homeless to determine their needs. We couldn't have met those needs without such a giving community. Thank you to everyone who donated.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The volunteers were amazing. They started showing up between 6-6:30 a.m. Despite the early hour and the heat and humidity, these volunteers went to work and smiled as they organized items and filled bags.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">By 9 a.m. the 97 bags were loaded up and delivered to the homeless.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Thank you to everyone who came out. You were all wonderful. Thank you to Wiregrass 2-1-1 Executive Director David Duke and his staff, SEACH President Vickie Alleman, SEACH Vice President and Harbor Church Executive Director Kody Kirchhoff, and David Jamison for all of your hard work organizing the Stand Down. Thank you to everyone who was involved. It was truly a great day. To God be the glory!</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Kimo6YdWlg/WwIademifKI/AAAAAAAAA1g/sNxMGnCDq1g99wtdCdMZl23d-beOJbF5wCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_7338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1341" data-original-width="1600" height="268" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Kimo6YdWlg/WwIademifKI/AAAAAAAAA1g/sNxMGnCDq1g99wtdCdMZl23d-beOJbF5wCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_7338.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bro. Dan taping a homeless person's information sheet to a bag filled with much-needed items.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dbuqB0SzYM4/WwIbaWrC6oI/AAAAAAAAA1o/Wi1gh9mKKlgXuw0unPXR5Z9aLRphK2IxQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="1600" height="301" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dbuqB0SzYM4/WwIbaWrC6oI/AAAAAAAAA1o/Wi1gh9mKKlgXuw0unPXR5Z9aLRphK2IxQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_7325.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wiregrass 2-1-1 Executive Director David Duke.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-heTiLcGbTqk/WwIbe69UQxI/AAAAAAAAA1w/VDBzDr4A8EQxGCvojrTQO_S8XuJkxbDbACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1300" data-original-width="1600" height="259" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-heTiLcGbTqk/WwIbe69UQxI/AAAAAAAAA1w/VDBzDr4A8EQxGCvojrTQO_S8XuJkxbDbACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_7326.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harbor Church Executive Director/SEACH Vice President Kody Kirchhoff addressing<br />volunteers at Saturday's SEACH Homeless Stand Down.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xbspOw8o2sI/WwIbevmtIaI/AAAAAAAAA1s/ZEkBSs1JX9w85d8bCQcD_aMxwY1E626_QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xbspOw8o2sI/WwIbevmtIaI/AAAAAAAAA1s/ZEkBSs1JX9w85d8bCQcD_aMxwY1E626_QCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_7330.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volunteers organizing items at the SEACH Homeless Stand Down.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-usvxaI95HtE/WwIbhC43SvI/AAAAAAAAA10/m3sbEeLUx4cHs0tZ-s31_0Xe4s31CfE0gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1572" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-usvxaI95HtE/WwIbhC43SvI/AAAAAAAAA10/m3sbEeLUx4cHs0tZ-s31_0Xe4s31CfE0gCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_7340.JPG" width="314" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A family prays over a bag of items they filled for a homeless person at the SEACH Homeless Stand Down.<br />There is power in prayer because of the One we pray to.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Ken Tuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17116738426773383623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178149776652215337.post-14715806161094600632018-05-14T20:50:00.001-05:002018-05-14T20:50:18.254-05:00Worshiping Jesus in India<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oJk89TaPmVE" width="480"></iframe><br /></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="c6uhu" data-offset-key="etuvk-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, &quot;.SFNSText-Regular&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="etuvk-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="etuvk-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">We loved worshiping Jesus with our brothers and sisters in India during our mission trip there in April 2018. Though we did not understand the words, we felt the Spirit of God moving as we worshiped. One day, every tribe, people and language will be in Heaven worshiping God together. What an awesome blessing to experience a little of that here on earth. To God be the glory!</span></div></div>Ken Tuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17116738426773383623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178149776652215337.post-36750419669436392272018-04-30T12:49:00.000-05:002018-04-30T12:49:24.073-05:00Clean water for rural villages in India<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/BeX8DTXr4Xs/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BeX8DTXr4Xs?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">&nbsp;Watch this video of muddy, bacteria-filled water turned into safe, bacteria-free drinking water in a rural mountain village in India during our mission trip there.</span></span></span></div><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We take so much for granted here in the U.S., and fresh, safe drinking water is something we rarely think twice about. However, in Third World and Developing nations, it's a great concern.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is estimated that nearly 100 million people in India do not have access to safe drinking water. Experts say 21 percent of all communicable diseases in India are related to unsafe drinking water. During our visit to the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, we saw this dire situation firsthand in the rural mountain villages we visited.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One part of our mission was to help alleviate that situation in some mountain villages. We took 25 water filtration systems on our mission trip, and the results were amazing. The muddy, bacteria-filled water instantly became clean and safe to drink.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many people get sick, and die, there due to unsafe drinking water. Different diseases, such as typhoid, are due to unsafe drinking water. The solution only costs around $30. The biggest task is getting the filters to them.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These little Sawyer filters are amazing, and they last a long time, at least up to 1 million gallons. For small mountain villages that's a lifetime.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we pulled up to one mountain village we observed women drawing water from a shallow well. As they pulled the bucket of water up, they would pour it through a strainer into another container. That would take some of the dirt and debris out, but not the bacteria.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When it rains, the shallow well get real muddy. Sometimes they are able to boil the water for drinking, but not always. They have no choice but to drink what is there. Thankfully, they have a choice now.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It takes about 10 minutes to install the Sawyer water filtration system using a bucket. Once its installed, the muddy water is poured into the bucket and when the filter is open, gravity draws the water down. It comes out clean and bacteria free. It's amazing, and the villagers were thankful.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They also receive the Living Water, Jesus Christ, when these filters are installed. That day in the mountain village we shared the "Creation to Christ" story and three women gave their lives to Jesus. Praise God!</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To provide Living Water and safe drinking water is awesome, and we thank God for this opportunity. There are many more rural mountain villages in India in need of these filters. Many are hard to reach, because you cannot drive to them, you have to walk for hours to reach them.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are making it to these villages thanks to our awesome brothers in India. Please help us help them. It's a matter of life and death, both now and for eternity.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please help us provide safe drinking water to people in India. Please mail your tax-deductible donations to: Love In Action, P.O. Box 85, Dothan, AL 36302.</span></span>Ken Tuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17116738426773383623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178149776652215337.post-17927915923670375462018-04-24T12:52:00.000-05:002018-04-24T12:52:17.573-05:00India Mission trip a great success<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t7q71MQoFSw/Wt9nrYIx27I/AAAAAAAAAzM/SIgtQMUo0TQE9FUo5jbxYJApodLL915kgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1456" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t7q71MQoFSw/Wt9nrYIx27I/AAAAAAAAAzM/SIgtQMUo0TQE9FUo5jbxYJApodLL915kgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0241.JPG" width="291" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martha giving a child a pair of flip flops.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zbEfHzfsD_0/Wt9nrGooB6I/AAAAAAAAAzI/-_TiKGWk_A86pn_k0RtEqdiaSFf4OZL6ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zbEfHzfsD_0/Wt9nrGooB6I/AAAAAAAAAzI/-_TiKGWk_A86pn_k0RtEqdiaSFf4OZL6ACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_5809.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This young fella was very excited about his new flip flops.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RL39UzAKdJI/Wt9n3_Gsw2I/AAAAAAAAAzQ/stZe_iB36tArddLY0PoMHmcz5xk8O2jVwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RL39UzAKdJI/Wt9n3_Gsw2I/AAAAAAAAAzQ/stZe_iB36tArddLY0PoMHmcz5xk8O2jVwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_3553.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jim talking with Servant of Christ (left) and Pastor Prasad.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X3gaE2Hb3Ks/Wt9oExa_HAI/AAAAAAAAAzc/TwgECCI5ktEsLuqJYJsBeWcg3hamHjg7gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1561" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X3gaE2Hb3Ks/Wt9oExa_HAI/AAAAAAAAAzc/TwgECCI5ktEsLuqJYJsBeWcg3hamHjg7gCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_9474.JPG" width="312" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pastor Prasad interpreting for Keitha.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How do you put everything you experience on a mission trip into words? You really can't, but I'll give it a try. No matter how many mission trips I go on, God never ceases to amaze me. Our trip last week to India was no different.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was our first mission to India, a huge country with more than 1.3 billion people, and more than 95 percent of the people are unreached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The state we visited, Andhra Pradesh, has a population of more than 57 million, and more than 98 percent are unreached with the Gospel. That means we, as followers of Jesus, have much to do in India.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our trip was five-fold. First, to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Secondly, to train indigenous pastors, missionaries, and lay church members, how to make disciples who make disciples. Thirdly, to distribute Bibles. Fourthly, to distribute new flip flops to children. Fifthly, to distribute and install new water filters to provide safe drinking water.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks be to God, I can report our mission was successful.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We saw 28 people come to Jesus from an unreached people group called, "Khond." We trained 45 indigenous pastors, missionaries and lay church members. We used the Training For Trainers (T4T) method. It is the most powerful and easily reproduced discipleship method we know of, and it's used all over the world.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bibles were given to all of those we trained. They were so excited and thankful. More Bibles will be distributed to new believers as our brothers and sisters in India continue to fulfill the Great Commission.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were blessed to distribute hundreds of flip flops to children. Eighty percent of the children there do not have shoes, so they were thrilled to receive flip flops. To see their little faces light up and hear the joy in their voices was awesome.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The lack of fresh water is a huge problem in India. They have many health issues due to unsafe drinking water. We brought 25 water filters with us that instantly turns their muddy, bacteria-filled water into clean, safe drinking water. It was amazing to see the transformation of the water.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From safe drinking water to the Living Water, we saw a lot of transformation in India, including within ourselves. God always does something in His people when we respond to His call. There is nothing like living life by our Lord Jesus Christ's Great Commission.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will continue writing about our India Mission trip in upcoming blogs. Consider this an introduction. I'll break down the five-fold mission in upcoming posts.</span>Ken Tuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17116738426773383623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178149776652215337.post-67752762171011986382018-04-03T10:51:00.001-05:002018-04-03T10:51:28.286-05:00This is Love In Action<br /><br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WB6QtqzZe18" width="480"></iframe><br /><br /><div data-contents="true"><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6hdu4" data-offset-key="f5pi2-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="f5pi2-0-0"><span data-offset-key="f5pi2-0-0"><span data-text="true">&nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="f5pi2-0-0"><span data-offset-key="f5pi2-0-0"><span data-text="true">Want to know what we do here at Love In Action to minister to the needs of the homeless and needy here in our hometown of Dothan, Alabama? Check out this video and share it with others. To God be the glory!</span></span></div></div></div>Ken Tuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17116738426773383623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178149776652215337.post-43908356117055415522018-04-02T19:06:00.001-05:002018-04-02T19:07:17.114-05:00Don't Judge a Book by its CoverHere's the first installment of the "Love In Action Minute" podcast.<br />Click on the headline above to hear the podcast. <br /><br /><br />Ken Tuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17116738426773383623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178149776652215337.post-31305019618084016882018-03-30T21:19:00.001-05:002018-03-30T21:19:27.304-05:00Do we care?<div class="_5pbx userContent _3576" data-ft="{&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;K&quot;}" id="js_1hw"><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I was sharing scripture with the homeless, I asked, “Why is it called, “Good Friday?” A woman responded in all honesty, “Because it’s payday?” LOL. Needless to say, that was a great teaching moment, and I explained Good Friday.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was a funny moment, but also sad, because she didn't have a clue why Good Friday is called Good Friday. Unfortunately, she's not the only one who is clueless about this weekend. Too often we take for granted the message of the cross and the resurrection. We take for granted that since we live in America, and in the buckle of the Bible Belt (South Alabama), everyone knows about Jesus and all He did to provide forgiveness for our sins and eternal life.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To Christians, John 3:16 is the most memorized verse of scripture, therefore we think everyone knows it. Not true. A well educated young man once told me he had no idea what John 3:16 was or what it meant.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We must not take for granted all Americans know Jesus. Sure, the vast majority of Americans have heard of Jesus, but many do not understand who Jesus is and why they should care.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That is why we must fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) Jesus gave us. If we don't, "go and make disciples" people will not know they can receive forgiveness of sins and receive eternal life.</span></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3576" data-ft="{&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;K&quot;}" id="js_1hw"><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3576" data-ft="{&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;K&quot;}" id="js_1hw"><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Statistics show two people die every second. That means 151,600 <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">people die each day</span>. </span><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do we ever stop and think about where they are going? Did they know Jesus? Are they in Hell? Do we even care? We should. Jesus allowed Himself to be nailed to the cross for everyone.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3576" data-ft="{&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;K&quot;}" id="js_1hw"><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3576" data-ft="{&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;K&quot;}" id="js_1hw"><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus says in Luke 24:46-47, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem."</span></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3576" data-ft="{&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;K&quot;}" id="js_1hw"><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3576" data-ft="{&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;K&quot;}" id="js_1hw"><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We must proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone. Stop taking it for granted that just because we live in America everyone knows Jesus. They don't. Take time and pray for the lost. Pray specifically for family and friends who don't have a personal relationship with Jesus. Then go and tell them about Jesus. Show them Jesus by the way you live.</span></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3576" data-ft="{&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;K&quot;}" id="js_1hw"><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3576" data-ft="{&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;K&quot;}" id="js_1hw"><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Great Commission isn't a suggestion. It's a command from our Lord and Savior and King. Let's obey Jesus. Eternity is at stake. Jesus did it all for every "whosoever" in this world. That's every man, woman, boy and girl throughout the entire world. He's the only One worthy of all praise, honor and glory.</span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span></span><div class="_5pbx userContent _3576" data-ft="{&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;K&quot;}" id="js_1hw"><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span> <style><!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Helvetica; 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font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} --></span></style></div>Ken Tuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17116738426773383623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178149776652215337.post-82098992467884796972018-03-16T14:42:00.004-05:002018-03-16T14:43:50.860-05:00No more suffering, Rick is in Heaven<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VCgorI6_020/WqwZ9fwnI1I/AAAAAAAAAys/4GRZDUqOXFEi6FLz7LqpCdcSqGEBgGr5gCLcBGAs/s1600/Rick%2B-%2Ball%2Bis%2Bwell_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1028" data-original-width="1600" height="256" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VCgorI6_020/WqwZ9fwnI1I/AAAAAAAAAys/4GRZDUqOXFEi6FLz7LqpCdcSqGEBgGr5gCLcBGAs/s400/Rick%2B-%2Ball%2Bis%2Bwell_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 30px;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"></span></b></span><br />Our great brother, Rick Denney went home to be with Jesus early Sunday morning, March 11.<br /><br />Those of you who have been around Love In Action for the past decade know, or know of, Bro. Rick. He was a huge part of Love In Action.<br /><br />Bro. Rick was as big of a part of Love In Action as Martha and me.&nbsp; He was our site manager, but so much more. He was our evangelist. Everywhere Rick went, he told people about Jesus. I miss hearing Rick say the name of Jesus.<br /><br />Rick became part of LIA when I met him in the parking lot of LIA's old home next to the Piggly Wiggly. He wanted to know what was going on inside, so I invited him in. Little did either of us know what that was leading to. <br /><br />Rick was homeless at that time and struggling in life. He was living in a tent in the woods. I had no idea he was watching us to see if we were real about loving Jesus and others. He said we looked like a church, but didn't act like one, because we were doing what Jesus said to do.<br /><br />Through the love he received at LIA, he started turning back to God. Rick said the love he saw and felt at Love In Action turned him back to God.<br /><br />Tragedy happened one Friday night when Rick was hit by a freight train. He called me that Saturday morning.<br /><br />I rushed to the hospital and Rick was in horrible shape as you might imagine.&nbsp; But Rick looked at me as he held my hand and said, "Brother Ken, the old Rick died under that train. The new Rick is here." That was the truth. Rick never wavered from his faith in Jesus from that point.<br /><br />Rick was told he would never walk again, but God had different plans. One night in his hotel room, God healed Rick and he started walking and never stopped. God took him to Atlanta and Baton Rouge on domestic mission trips, and to Africa and Haiti for international mission trips.<br /><br />From homeless to an international missionary, only God could do that. Rick was an incredible man. He was more than a friend. He was my brother and ministry partner. God used us together too many times to count to lead people to Jesus. I miss him. I miss those times.<br /><br />Rick battled cancer for nearly two years. He suffered greatly, but through it all he didn't complain and said what he always said, "All is well."<br /><br />All is well for Rick now as he is in the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.<br /><br />He made it home. He finished the race, and he finished it well. There will never be another Rick Denney, and I look forward to seeing him in Heaven. I know Jesus said, "Well done my good and faithful servant, when He welcomed Rick home. I love Rick, and his life will always be an inspiration to me to keep on lifting up the name of Jesus.<br /><br />Rick always said, "Lift up the name of Jesus and He will draw all people unto Himself." Rick did that faithfully. Let his life inspire us all to tell everyone we meet about Jesus. It will make an eternal difference. Rick believed that, he lived that. Nobody did it better.<br /><br />Please keep his precious wife, Martha, and their family, lifted up in prayers. And, please keep his Love In Action family in your prayers as well.Ken Tuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17116738426773383623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178149776652215337.post-49641701348202056442018-02-28T18:50:00.000-06:002018-02-28T18:50:25.878-06:00This is my story<figure class="post-content high-res with-caption" data-photo-width="1280"><figcaption class="caption"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A9za169BbYA/WpdOEeCTzWI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/NrBOhhngVHcY3icg4Op6cAzpFNoHlCN-ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A9za169BbYA/WpdOEeCTzWI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/NrBOhhngVHcY3icg4Op6cAzpFNoHlCN-ACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1009.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want to share a short story with you. It’s a true story and one I know very well, because it’s my story. I was blessed to be born into a wonderful Christian family with a mom, dad, brother and sister I love dearly. I was raised in church, and at the age of 12 prayed to accept Jesus into my heart and was baptized. However, it really didn’t mean much to me. I didn’t take Jesus seriously. It did lay a firm foundation, though.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As is the case with most teenagers, I became rebellious, and it continued into my early 20s. I sought after things that pleased and satisfied me. The old saying, “Sex, drugs and rock-n-roll” was pretty much my motto. I liked it. I enjoyed it. I was good at that lifestyle. However, when I started dating a young woman who had more faith than me, I started learning more about Jesus than ever before. I started hanging out with an evangelist named Andy Bryan. Many people loved Andy. He was one of a kind, and a great man. Every time he preached, I felt a conviction, a tugging at my heart.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have you ever seen the cartoon where the devil was on one shoulder of a person talking into one ear, and an angel on the other shoulder talking into the other ear? That’s what it felt like. The devil was saying, “You’re OK. You don’t need what Andy is preaching.” The other voice, which was the Holy Spirit, was saying, “You need Jesus. Now is the day of salvation.”&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I kept pushing it off until one night in Clio. Andy preached another awesome sermon and I fought and fought against the Holy Spirit’s urging me to go forward. I didn’t respond, but taking my girlfriend home that evening the Holy Spirit attacked me like never before, drawing me to Jesus. I didn’t say one word while driving her home, which was highly unusual. When I pulled into her driveway, she asked, “What’s wrong?” With tears in my eyes I said, “I need Jesus. I’m not saved.” She said, “You know what to do.” Right there on that March night in 1989 in my Chevrolet Chevette, I prayed, repented and gave my life to Jesus. </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From that night, Jesus has been transforming my life. I’m far from perfect, but I no longer look to please myself or fulfill those sinful desires that were only destroying me. God changed my heart and my outlook on life. I want to please my Heavenly Father. I want to know Him more. I want less of me and more of Jesus. My desire is to tell others about Him, and how they can receive forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus Christ. It’s my heart’s burning desire for people to know that Jesus is the only way, truth and life, and that He is the only way to the Father. </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God broke my heart more than 18 years ago for the homeless and needy. Today, I have the highest honor and privilege of serving Jesus with my beautiful bride, Martha, as we show the love of Jesus and tell people about our Lord and Savior every day. God called us to serve the “least of these” (Matthew 25:35-40), and it is such a joy to do so. God has also called us to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ with unreached people groups in other parts of the world. He showed us long ago the truth of His Great Commission about going and making disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, teaching them all Jesus has taught us. And, we know His promise of always being with us. We have been blessed to preach the Gospel in six countries, and next month the seventh country as we travel to India. </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want you to know Jesus. If you have never given your life to Jesus, I encourage you to do so now. I promise you will not regret it. It’s not about “Thou shall not” do this or that. It’s discovering the love of God Himself through His one and only son Jesus Christ. Romans 10:9 tells us if we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts God raised Him from the dead we will be saved. So, confess and believe. He will forgive you and give you life here and life eternal. Heaven and Hell are real. Live for Jesus now and experience Heaven. Or, this earth will be the closest thing to Heaven you will ever experience. Comment or private message me if you want to talk more. </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are a follower of Jesus, then I encourage you to be a true disciple and go and tell others about Jesus and make disciples who can make disciples. You don’t have to be a pastor, evangelist or president of a ministry to fulfill the Great Commission. I was in the workforce for 25 years, and I served Jesus at the same time. Being a follower of Jesus is a lifestyle, not an event, outreach or mission trip. Let’s let His light shine through all of us for His glory. To God be the glory!</span></span></figcaption></figure>Ken Tuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17116738426773383623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178149776652215337.post-4631007960646444672016-08-20T17:19:00.001-05:002016-08-20T17:21:21.150-05:00Making a child's day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4RYSk9m-Vi4/V7jXFlTSO6I/AAAAAAAAAiw/GmZbBegVt78olWXhKEtDMc7GGeQpZnhIwCLcB/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="337" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4RYSk9m-Vi4/V7jXFlTSO6I/AAAAAAAAAiw/GmZbBegVt78olWXhKEtDMc7GGeQpZnhIwCLcB/s400/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The first three Saturdays of each month our awesome volunteers serve so beautifully as the homeless and needy come to our ministry center for help with food, hygiene items and clothes. The homeless also come to take showers and to have their laundry washed.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br />We also see children. They are all precious, and most are from single mother homes. There are two children we see each month who are always smiling, and they love Rick and Martha Denney. Rick and Martha are faithful volunteers and leaders at LIA. They always take up time with the children.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br />Rick found out this one young boy likes basketball. However, the child didn't have a basketball. Rick told the child that he would get him a basketball. Rick delivered on his promise today. The smile on the child’s face was priceless.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /><a href="https://youtu.be/nBbGh-g4FWg" target="_blank"><b>Click here</b> </a>for a link to the video showing Rick surprising the child with the basketball.<br />Thank you, Bro. Rick, for showing this precious child the love of Jesus.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">This video epitomizes how all of our volunteers serve at LIA. Lives are being changed for the glory of God, because of people giving of their time to show the love of Jesus to the "least of these."</span>Ken Tuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17116738426773383623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178149776652215337.post-8521851667374964162016-08-09T08:22:00.001-05:002016-08-09T11:16:59.641-05:00Gold Medal Faith<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rnpdlQdXfqw/V6nViOfIbbI/AAAAAAAAAig/wlSlWcoKg4YqevJjSqwOlXKjz0J2VsnyQCLcB/s1600/what-are-olympic-gold-medals-made-of_7f8d3dd0cefe19b5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rnpdlQdXfqw/V6nViOfIbbI/AAAAAAAAAig/wlSlWcoKg4YqevJjSqwOlXKjz0J2VsnyQCLcB/s640/what-are-olympic-gold-medals-made-of_7f8d3dd0cefe19b5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt;">While watching the Olympics, I can’t help but think about the Apostle Paul. It’s obvious in his writings he was a big sports fan. He uses a number of sports metaphors in while writing God’s inspired Word. As a big sports fan that excites me even more, because that means God is a sports fan, too. :-)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt;">Paul writes about running a race in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. He even mixes in a boxing analogy. In these verses, he describes what it takes to grow in our faith in Jesus Christ. As we see, it’s not a process for lazy people. It takes hard work, commitment, and dedication, just like Olympic athletes.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt;">Paul writes, “</span><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt;">Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.</span><b><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt;">&nbsp;</span></b><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt;">So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.</span><b><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt;">&nbsp;</span></b><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt;">But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica&quot;;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Like Olympians, we have to train. It's good to do physical training, but I'm&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 15px;">referring</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">&nbsp;to spiritual training - reading the Bible, praying, worshipping, telling others about Jesus, etc. This involves self-control, running with a purpose, and discipline. The big difference is Olympians compete for a perishable award. Winning Gold, Silver or Bronze medals is an awesome accomplishment. Those athletes work hard and deserve it. I think being good enough to just compete in the Olympics Is an incredible accomplishment, even if you finish last in your event.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt;">Our race is for an imperishable award. It’s for eternity. Are we going to live for Jesus and inherit eternal life with Him, or choose not to and spend eternity in Hell, which is eternal separation from God? Like the Olympians, it’s our choice if we are going to be dedicated and committed to win our race or kick back and watch others do it?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt;">This is too important of a race. We can’t be lazy. We must strive each and every day to live for Jesus and tell others about Him. It’s going to take endurance, as Paul tells us in Hebrews 12:1-2, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,</span><b><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt;">&nbsp;</span></b><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt;">looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt;">It is more than worth it to dedicate and commit our lives, all of our lives, to Jesus. He thought we were all worth it. So much so, He willingly died a brutal death for us. He took our penalty for our sins. Then he came back to life to give us the ultimate victory. Now it’s up to us if we will receive it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt;">If you haven’t, I implore you to receive Jesus today. Call out to Him. Ask Him to forgive you. Repent, which means turn from sinful ways and turn to Jesus. Ask Him to help you to overcome. I know that’s the greatest decision I’ve ever made. 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6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Mention"/> </w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <!--EndFragment--><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt;">Come on. Let’s do this. Let’s run this race and claim the ultimate Gold Medal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Ken Tuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17116738426773383623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178149776652215337.post-9167497727783974742016-07-30T21:23:00.003-05:002016-07-30T21:25:08.273-05:00Great Team LIA meeting today<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gWzyOy02GF8/V51g6WhT0iI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/DrqOUbFg_MEcNPn6IfAi5TRYASzS5DoqQCEw/s1600/IMG_2727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gWzyOy02GF8/V51g6WhT0iI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/DrqOUbFg_MEcNPn6IfAi5TRYASzS5DoqQCEw/s400/IMG_2727.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">Martha and I want to thank everyone for coming to this morning's LIA volunteers meeting. We had a great crowd with 22 people there.</div><div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;"><br />For those who were unable to attend, here are the highlights:</div><div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">- We are moving forward with renovation projects. We are turning Suite 4 into a warehouse for storage. The front of Suite 4 will be an extension of our clothing section, to include clothes for children.</div><div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">- We must repair the roof on our two-story building before renovating Suites 5 &amp; 7. We are looking at turning Suite 5 into office and meeting spaces for other ministries. Our plan for Suite 7 is turn it into an educational suite to provide job training and educational opportunities for the people we serve, as well as discipleship training classes.</div><div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">- We must replace HVAC units on top of both buildings - one each for suites 2, 3, 5 &amp; 7, and we need one for suite 4.</div><div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">- We need to make roof repairs on our one-story building.</div><div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">- We are going to reopen the coffee shop where Dakota was located. LIA owns that building. We are at the planning stage for it. It will be a place for people to connect ... connect with God, with each other, with LIA and with LIA's missionaries and indigenous pastors and schools around the world. We will train the homeless and the needy in the hospitality industry. It will be a job to help them improve their lives, but it will also be a place for them to learn and grow to move on to bigger and better jobs in the hospitality industry.</div><div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">- Team LIA spent the rest of the morning cleaning the coffee shop. It was the first cleaning. That shop hasn't been used in a couple of years.</div><div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">- Help us expand by continuing to serve, by sharing from information on our Facebook page, Twitter feed and other social media on your social media pages, feeds, statuses, etc. The more we share, the more people learn what God is doing through LIA.</div><div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">- If you know people in businesses such as HVAC, plumbing, electric, roofing, etc., please tell them about our needs and connect us.</div><div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">- Please give and ask people to give toward our building fund, so we can accomplish everything.</div><div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">- If you do not receive our electronic newsletter called "LIA Update," please send me your email address. Please share the newsletters with others through Facebook, email, etc.</div><div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">- We will hold a big yard sale Sept. 23-24 at LIA to raise money for our building fund. We are asking for good items for the yard sale. We will also sell Boston butts that day. We will pre-sell them.</div><div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">Martha and I thank all of you for serving at LIA. Hundreds of lives are being touched by the love of Jesus, because of each of you. People are being saved, encouraged, and they are having their physical needs met. Each of you are also growing in the Lord. We are growing together. Thank you.</div><div style="color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-top: 6px;">May God continue to bless all of you and your families.</div>Ken Tuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17116738426773383623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178149776652215337.post-64093464754630215682016-07-28T10:11:00.001-05:002016-07-28T10:11:13.236-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLFjBxXzsh4/V5ogfeFxSfI/AAAAAAAAAh8/Rqm9hJBsrVoIB0ihQCT92NhoakBcya5PACLcB/s1600/8f2a9edf-be3c-4655-a35d-1f7c99eb4fb5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="121" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLFjBxXzsh4/V5ogfeFxSfI/AAAAAAAAAh8/Rqm9hJBsrVoIB0ihQCT92NhoakBcya5PACLcB/s320/8f2a9edf-be3c-4655-a35d-1f7c99eb4fb5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-igT5ZURdi4Q/V5ogfVMyRII/AAAAAAAAAiA/MzEh2Y--zm4LS4diKVzXk0E56N0P_j8nQCLcB/s1600/b9aec4b6-d1ee-4f25-88d9-e86452442ba4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="115" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-igT5ZURdi4Q/V5ogfVMyRII/AAAAAAAAAiA/MzEh2Y--zm4LS4diKVzXk0E56N0P_j8nQCLcB/s320/b9aec4b6-d1ee-4f25-88d9-e86452442ba4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><h1 class="null" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 26px; line-height: 32.5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 32px;"><br /></span></h1><h1 class="null" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 26px; line-height: 32.5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 32px;">Time to Expand at LIA</span></h1><br style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">When we moved into our current location on West Main Street in downtown Dothan we said we would be able to expand certain ministries, and start new ones, as we were able to renovate the building. And, glory to God, we have done that with our buildings, which are made up of seven suites.</span><br style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><br style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">When we renovated suite 3, it became the Samaritan Clinic at LIA. The volunteer medical staff has a real medical clinic to work out of. We have numerous medical exam rooms, a dental exam room with equipment, and a pharmacy.</span><br style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><br style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">Once extensive renovations were completed in suite 6, it became our main ministry area with &nbsp;a shower and laundry services for the homeless, clothing rooms for men and women, food pantry, hygiene pantry, and a warming kitchen.The number of people we are blessed to help in that suite numbers in the hundreds. The front room is also used for our Wednesday night Bible studies.</span><br style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><br style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">We have started a new outreach to low-rent hotels, which has turned out to be an excellent outreach. There are a lot of hurting people out there who need the encouragement of knowing someone cares about them.</span><br style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><br style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">Now we are ready to expand again at our current facility, but we need your help. We are going to turn suite 4 into a warehouse. We have been in desperate need for storage for clothes, furniture and appliances to help people in need. We will also expand our clothing options to include a children's section.</span><br style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><br style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">The two upstairs suites will be turned into more of a classroom setting for teaching and distance learning opportunities, as well as offices for other ministries.</span><br style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><br style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">However, before we begin on that expansion, and to protect our one-story building, we need to have extensive roof work done and HVAC units replaced. This is not cheap, so we have started a building fund.</span><br style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><br style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">To replace five HVAC units, which will include the use of a crane, it will cost $24,000. Re-roofing the single story building will cost $48,365, and the roof on the two-story building will cost $20,380. The total for the roofs and HVAC units comes to $92,745.</span><br style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><br style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">That amount is large, but it's not too big for our God. We pray He touches hearts who can help us financially and/or through donations of supplies and labor.</span><br style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><br style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">Please pray how you can help us. To donate financially for our building fund, please mail your tax-deductible donation to: Love In Action International Ministries, P.O. Box 85, Dothan, AL 36302 and write "Building Fund" on the memo of your check Or, you can&nbsp;</span><a href="http://loveinactionministries.com/donate" style="color: #2baadf; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" target="_blank">donate online by clicking here</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">&nbsp;and then click on the "Make A Donation" button. Please make note that it is for our "Building Fund."</span><br style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><br style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">Thank you and God bless you. Please keep us in your prayers.</span>Ken Tuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17116738426773383623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178149776652215337.post-50551729762215925792016-07-14T14:54:00.000-05:002016-07-14T14:54:20.400-05:00There is still Good News in this world<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yEq0Y4XLhi4/V4fh4hSQUPI/AAAAAAAAAhs/VghkqcsFk_UQxitaBRsIMXrKfW-86eZ5gCLcB/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yEq0Y4XLhi4/V4fh4hSQUPI/AAAAAAAAAhs/VghkqcsFk_UQxitaBRsIMXrKfW-86eZ5gCLcB/s400/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="235" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team LIA volunteer Gia Hughes gives a child<br />a big hug during a recent outreach to local low-rent<br />hotels in Dothan, Ala.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Every day the headlines and news channels are filled with news about violence, hatred, and corruption. A person can easily become depressed and discouraged keeping up with the news. It can leave one&nbsp;wondering, is there any good news anywhere in the world?</span></span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">The answer is yes. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is still the Good News, and it's still being spread throughout communities in the U.S. and the world through Love In Action.</span></span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Those who serve with LIA do so beautifully. In a world that's seemingly growing more and more violent and filled with hate, Team LIA allows the love of Jesus to flow through them. Does it make a difference? You betcha.</span></span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">I have seen some of the hardest,&nbsp;meanest people come to Jesus because of showing His love to them. We've been cussed and talked down about, but instead of hating and rejecting them, we decided to keep loving them. Sometimes it's not easy, but it's a&nbsp;choice. Our choice. Do we reject people or do we reject the real enemy, which is Satan.</span></span></span><br /><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">God tells us in Ephesians 6:12, "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">In other words, it's not the person we are at odds with. It's Satan. If we all remember that, it's easier to show love to people, even those who hate us. That's the way Jesus tells us to act. (Matthew 5:43-45)</span></span></span><br /><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">LIA has been a ministry for more than 16 years, and I can look back to the&nbsp;first days and see where showing people God's love has&nbsp;made a difference in their lives.</span></span></span><br /><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Martha and I were in Barnes &amp; Noble in Dothan, Ala., one night and this young black man yelled my name and ran toward me. I couldn't tell who he was, but there was joy in his voice. He ran up and gave me a huge hug, and then hugged Martha. Then I recognized him. When we first met him, he lived in a rough and impoverished&nbsp;neighborhood in Enterprise, Ala.</span></span></span><br /><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">We did an Adopt-A-Block outreach in his neighborhood every Saturday, and LIA volunteer Justin Swasey and I would&nbsp;pick him up as well as many other children and&nbsp;adults in an old church van every Sunday.</span></span></span><br /><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">He told Martha and me that night how much what we did meant to him back then and helped shape his life. He had since graduated high school and was joining the military. The&nbsp;love of Jesus changed his life and given him hope for a better tomorrow despite his surroundings as a child.</span></span></span><br /><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">The photo above with this blog entry shows one of our wonderful Team LIA members, Gia Hughes, hugging a child during a recent LIA outreach to local low-rent hotels.&nbsp;</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">This photo reflects the epitome of God's love and the ministry of LIA ... always showing forth the love of Jesus.&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Just look at the photo. Can't you see and feel the love of Jesus emanating through Gia as she embraces this child?</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">In today's world where racial tensions are ever increasing, this is the kind of news we need to see and read. Color doesn't matter in the family of God for He has created us all equal and loves us all the same, no matter our skin color, economic bracket or what neighborhood or country we live in. We are all His children, therefore, we must all love one another just as our Heavenly Father loves us.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">We thank and praise God for all of our awesome volunteers like Gia. We thank everyone for serving so beautifully, allowing the love of Jesus to flow through them into the lives of others in</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">&nbsp;this hurting world. All glory and honor to Jesus.</span><br /><span class="text_exposed_show" style="color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />We encourage Team LIA to continue serving Jesus like this. We encourage those who serve through their churches and other organizations to keep serving. We encourage Christians who are not serving to begin. We encourage all Christians to make serving a lifestyle, not just an event or planned outreach with a group. There's nothing like it.<br /></span><br /><span class="text_exposed_show" style="color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">This world needs the love of Jesus more than ever, and if we don't show them, nobody will.</span>Ken Tuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17116738426773383623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178149776652215337.post-20871115727829923302016-07-04T12:08:00.001-05:002016-07-04T12:08:42.305-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r_n2sx0_kc4/V3qPR2yXTBI/AAAAAAAAAhc/dPe6HOkIPRc73vcw3dqc9peXdqZiqvuKgCLcB/s1600/USA.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r_n2sx0_kc4/V3qPR2yXTBI/AAAAAAAAAhc/dPe6HOkIPRc73vcw3dqc9peXdqZiqvuKgCLcB/s400/USA.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Let us not waste our freedoms</span></h2><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;">Happy Fourth of July, everyone. I was originally going to just write a short post&nbsp;on Facebook, but this day&nbsp;deserves much more as I thought more about my post. What awesome opportunities we have as Americans, and what an incredible privilege it is to be an American. Do we actually realize that? I think we usually take it for granted, but let's think about it today.</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;">I thank God for our country and for allowing me to have been born an American. He could have placed me anywhere in the world, but chose to let me be born in the USA.&nbsp;</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I pray I never take that for granted, and will always use it for His glory.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As Americans, we have riches and freedoms the vast majority of the world can only dream about. We must not waste it. As Christians in America we have been given much, therefore much is required. (Luke 12:48). We need to help those in need, and that includes our fellow Americans and those who are hurting, hungry, sick and lost around the world. God has blessed us with innumerable ways to spread His Gospel throughout the world. Let's don't just look inward, but look outward as well.</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's what Jesus tells us to do in His Great Commission. He says in Matthew 28:19, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." As Americans we have the&nbsp;means to do this more than any other nation in history. We need not waste this opportunity.&nbsp;</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As American Christians, it's our&nbsp;responsibility.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">As we celebrate this day of independence and freedom, let's be sure to thank God for allowing us to be Americans and for every freedom we enjoy. Let's renew our&nbsp;commitment to living for Him and using these freedoms to bring glory to Him. Let's renew our commitment to helping our fellow Americans who are in need. Let's renew our commitment to carrying out the Great Commission here in the US and around the world.</span></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Let's remember those who serve in our Armed Forces who protect our precious freedoms. Let's remember those who served over the course of American history and who gave their lives to give us and protect our freedoms.&nbsp;</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We must never take for granted those who put their lives on the line for our sakes and the sake of this great nation.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;">On this Fourth of July, let's be thankful Americans. It truly is a remarkable day. Our founding fathers knew it. I like what John Adams wrote to his wife about the signing of the Declaration of&nbsp;Independence. He was two days off on his prediction, but his letter reveals the significance and the foresight of those who wrote and signed the Declaration of Independence.</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">John Adams wrote:</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">"The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Those are very profound words. Let's don't take this day for granted. Freedom is a precious thing. Let us not waste it.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Jesus gave us the ultimate freedom of forgiveness from all of our sins and the promise of everlasting life. Let's not take His freedom for granted. Let's thank Him every day and not waste it.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Happy Fourth of July. May God truly bless America again.</span></span><br /><br />Ken Tuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17116738426773383623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178149776652215337.post-71320290408884004062016-06-12T22:38:00.003-05:002016-06-12T22:38:50.698-05:00<h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">My friend Ms. Emily</span></h2><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r6yrKNyfg7E/V14qfY6SiNI/AAAAAAAAAhM/18a5emCqkNUhVoLZRHDBPeKTPD13zIuaACLcB/s1600/emily.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r6yrKNyfg7E/V14qfY6SiNI/AAAAAAAAAhM/18a5emCqkNUhVoLZRHDBPeKTPD13zIuaACLcB/s320/emily.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />I remember when Emily Hinderliter approached Martha and me to talk about volunteering with Love In Action. Emily and her husband, Ricky, shared a story with us. Well, Ricky didn't really have a chance to talk much, which we soon discovered was the norm. With Emily, nobody had much of a chance to get a word in.<br /><br />Emily shared about seeing a homeless man with no shoes at a gas station on a recent trip her and Ricky had taken. She said they didn't know what to do. The image of the "man with no shoes" stayed in her mind. It bothered her that she didn't do anything. She said they could have bought him some shoes or they could have given him a pair of Ricky's shoes. She didn't ever want to miss another opportunity, so she wanted to volunteer with Love In Action.<br /><br />We were thankful to have both of them with LIA. Emily's vision was to begin a Celebrate Recovery. She said she was retired and got social security, so she had plenty of time. "I just breath and the government sends me a check," she told us. "It's a wonderful thing."<br /><br />Emily's humor was dry, sarcastic and hilarious. We quickly fell in love with her and Ricky, and told her we would love to have Celebrate Recovery as part of LIA. She was true to her word. She started it and grew it, and she worked nonstop.<br /><br />We didn't know how many people would attend, but if we helped one person it would be worth it. We had no idea we would have 125 people on Tuesday nights at the LIA Ministry Center, which was located at that time in a warehouse on the Montgomery Highway in Dothan, Ala. Hundreds of people gave their lives to Jesus through Celebrate Recovery.<br /><br />At 11:49 a.m. on Wednesday, June 8, Emily died following a couple of days in the hospital following a massive heart attack. At that moment, I have no doubt she heard Jesus tell her, "Well done, good and faithful servant ... Enter into the joy of your master." And, she was also reunited with her beloved Ricky, who died last year.<br /><br /><br />She helped many homeless people at LIA. I'll never forget when she convinced someone to donate a car so we could give it to a homeless man to help him improve his life. Charles was stunned the night she gave him the car keys. She put it in a lunch box and presented it to him. He opened it and found the keys. He asked what were the keys for. She told him he would need them to drive his new car to work. He cried. Emily cried. We all cried.<br /><br />When I think of Emily's "Man with no shoes," I think about her going to Baton Rouge with us. We took a cargo trailer filled with hundreds of pairs of boots. She helped us give them out to the homeless. She was happy and thrilled that she was able to give shoes to the homeless. Though it wasn't the "Man with no shoes" she had seen more than a year earlier, it certainly made her heart smile helping so many homeless people with shoes.<br /><br />Emily's desire to reach as many people for Jesus didn't stop in Dothan and Baton Rouge. She traveled to Shell, Ecuador, with us. We worked at an orphanage called Casa de Fe. Emily's mission, however, was not the children directly, but rather indirectly. Alcoholism and drug use is a big problem in Ecuador. Her goal was to teach Celebrate Recovery to ministry leaders in Shell, so they can begin a program to help adults overcome their addictions, therefore, helping the children as well.<br /><br />Emily and Ms. Judy taught the course and gave all of the literature and books to begin a CR program in Shell. What an awesome blessing. Those ministry leaders in Ecuador were so thankful and excited.<br /><br />Those three years of ministering with Emily were wonderful. She taught me a lot, and brought a lot of joy into mine and Martha's lives and to so many others.<br /><br />We are thankful we will see her again in Heaven. I know we will see many, many others in Heaven who gave their lives to Jesus because of Emily being faithful to God's call on her life. She fulfilled that calling, and now she is reaping the rewards of her labor. She has "fought the good fight" and has "finished the race."<br /><br />We pray for God to comfort her family as they will miss her tremendously. Many people will miss her. I thank God for memories, for we still have those and we will carry memories of Emily with us for the rest of our lives.Ken Tuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17116738426773383623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178149776652215337.post-29663476061404820652016-05-31T14:20:00.000-05:002016-05-31T14:20:01.833-05:00Food & Hygiene pantries need restocking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vWU5heZ0VJY/V03jOR740GI/AAAAAAAAAgo/U2Jjpd1kq6I13HbWK6e-sfbK7ie53k1gACKgB/s1600/LIA-food-pantry-flier.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vWU5heZ0VJY/V03jOR740GI/AAAAAAAAAgo/U2Jjpd1kq6I13HbWK6e-sfbK7ie53k1gACKgB/s640/LIA-food-pantry-flier.gif" width="492" /></a></div><div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: 'San Francisco', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, '.SFNSText-Regular', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px; margin-bottom: 6px;">After a very busy month at LIA, we are in need of donations for our food and hygiene pantries. Our shelves are very low and some are empty. Please share these needs with your family, friends, church small groups, etc.. Please help us and please share these needs with your friends on Facebook, Twitter and other social media outlets and ask people to help us as well.</div><div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: 'San Francisco', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, '.SFNSText-Regular', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">Donations can be dropped off Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., at ou<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">r LIA office, which is located at 279 W. Main St., suite 2, in downtown Dothan behind the former Dakota Coffee building.</span></div><div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: 'San Francisco', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, '.SFNSText-Regular', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: inherit; text-align: center;">Thanks and God bless you all.</span></div><div class="text_exposed_show" style="color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: 'San Francisco', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, '.SFNSText-Regular', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;"><div style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px;"><b style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: inherit;">Here's a list of needs:</b></div><div style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;"><b>Non-perishable canned food:</b>Vegetables, Ravioli, Spaghetti, Tuna, Ham, Peanut Butter, Fruit, Pudding, Soups.</div><div style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;"><b>Hygiene items:</b>Shampoo, Shaving cream, Razors, Toothpaste &amp; toothbrushes, Men &amp; Women's deodorant, Lotion, Feminine products, New socks, New underwear, Baby diapers.</div></div>Ken Tuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17116738426773383623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178149776652215337.post-56246214551106886572016-05-29T14:36:00.005-05:002016-05-29T14:36:59.890-05:00Human trafficking funding terrorism<div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: 'San Francisco', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, '.SFNSText-Regular', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px; margin-bottom: 6px;">Human trafficking is showing up everywhere in the world, and criminal organizations and terrorist organizations are benefiting from selling people.</div><div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: 'San Francisco', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, '.SFNSText-Regular', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px; margin-bottom: 6px;"><br /></div><div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: 'San Francisco', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, '.SFNSText-Regular', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">ISIS is the epitome of evil. The following link is to an article in the Washington Post about how members of ISIS raise money through the selling of women as sex slaves. Here's the link,&nbsp;<a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Ftinyurl.com%2Fhrtnq8y&amp;h=dAQEi13DkAQF2VRXvlYd4XYNolMhA4Zio2Y8Kk8l2Bbjp0w&amp;enc=AZNrgllUeZcpRqADLNflvlLxDzvBRUXvcsadAE_rcjI9Khl74Tjvi_5J7kVuD4pfUikyui87slfBNyeKrm3b8tJISliB4xuUQfXXcJFJbNQqWifpBKf3G-NF0ULLWcuXjcOlqcB6AbJyrcBzeK1beq4zB7CoymMdTHUVHAXHN0f8mDTiO_8qIDk-udYzWMu5V3fQdtODIHE4GKh_iJWINQDO&amp;s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/hrtnq8y</a></div><div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: 'San Francisco', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, '.SFNSText-Regular', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;"><br /></div><div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: 'San Francisco', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, '.SFNSText-Regular', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">The following quote by an ISIS member selling young girls proves that point as well, "Supply and demand makes her that price."</div><div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: 'San Francisco', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, '.SFNSText-Regular', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;"><br /></div><div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: 'San Francisco', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, '.SFNSText-Regular', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">The fact there is demand shows the evilness in this world. The fact there are mor<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">e than 30 million slaves in the world (a conservative number) shows how evil the world is. The fact the U.S. Is one of the top importers of sex trafficking shows how evil our own nation is. All of the top importers of sex slavery are western nations.</span></div><div class="text_exposed_show" style="color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: 'San Francisco', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, '.SFNSText-Regular', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;"><div style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px;">Yes, we need to pray more than ever, but we also need to take action more than ever as well. We must share the love of Jesus with everyone, no matter their ethnicity or religion. Jesus says in Acts 1:8, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."</div><div style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: inherit;">Jesus commands us to be His witnesses. Are we obeying? Obviously not everyone who claims to be Christian in this world is obeying our Lord's command, or this world wouldn't be so evil. It's past time to change that. Everyone who claims to be Christian must be His witnesses and show forth His love to all people. When people truly experience the love of Jesus they can't help but change.</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">We also must stand for justice and help those who cannot speak for themselves, so when we see or suspect human trafficking, we must report it.</div><div style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">Only God can deliver this world from evil, and we need to do our part by following and serving Him as Jesus told us and showed us.</div></div>Ken Tuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17116738426773383623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178149776652215337.post-88957270825713504662016-05-24T22:51:00.003-05:002016-05-24T22:52:07.536-05:00Laundry/Shower ministry makes a difference<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sLRo1JLdWZ0/V0Ug9Rju8OI/AAAAAAAAAgY/mPFtQWMDKzsBX7R4vr6j7l4SNSNKC8JlQCLcB/s1600/IMG_4858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sLRo1JLdWZ0/V0Ug9Rju8OI/AAAAAAAAAgY/mPFtQWMDKzsBX7R4vr6j7l4SNSNKC8JlQCLcB/s400/IMG_4858.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;">Being homeless is tough on many different levels. It's easy to see how people can quickly lose self-esteem and hope when they are homeless.</span></div><div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;"></div><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica&quot;; font-size: 16px;">They don't have shelter, no consistent food source, no toilet or shower, nowhere to wash clothes, and those are just a handful of issues.<br /><br />Imagine trying to find work when you can't shower or wash clothes. Most employers are not going to give you a second look, not to mention how it makes you feel about yourself. The homeless really do care about their hygiene. They want to be clean. They want to smell good. They just don't have many options.<br /><br />They do at the Love In Action Ministry Center in Dothan, Alabama. Here, they find a hot shower with shampoo and body wash. The men can safely shave in the spacious shower room.<br /><br />They find people filled with the love of Jesus ready to wash their clothes. While they wait, they can enjoy a hot meal and look for newer clothes.<br /><br />It's all part of Love In Action's Mission Statement, which is, "To proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ through acts of compassion." We have been doing that for 16 years, and God uses it to draw people to Him. When you are hungry, in need of a shower and laundry, and someone is there to help you, it makes a big difference. It let's the homeless know they are cared for by God and by people of God.</span>Ken Tuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17116738426773383623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178149776652215337.post-15017230346699757042016-01-24T15:04:00.000-06:002016-01-24T16:43:29.537-06:00Know the signs of human trafficking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gVuRDhb7hjQ/VqUta59RWEI/AAAAAAAAAgE/jeymBVnbLvE/s1600/252934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gVuRDhb7hjQ/VqUta59RWEI/AAAAAAAAAgE/jeymBVnbLvE/s400/252934.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">After my blog about human trafficking two weeks ago, people thanked me for enlightening them that human trafficking happens in our hometown of Dothan, Ala. One person said he was clueless and wouldn't know how to identify a victim or know what to do if he did.</span><br /><div><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">So, this blog is to help answer those questions. The more we all know, the more we can all do to help end this injustice.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Human Trafficking is modern day slavery, and it is the use of force, fraud or coercion to compel another person to provide labor or commercial sex against their will.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Know the signs of human trafficking:</span></b></div><div><ul><li><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Have injuries or signs of physical abuse</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Denied food, water, sleep, medical care, and freedom of movement</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Drug addiction</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Current runaway or signs of homelessness</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Does not have identification &nbsp;&nbsp;</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Presence of older boy/girlfriend</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Inexplicable appearance of expensive gifts, clothing, or other costly items</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Withdrawal or lack of interest in previous activities</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Pimps and traffickers will often "brand" their girls and boys with tattoos.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Seems disoriented and not know where he/ she is</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Fearful of authority, especially law enforcement</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Avoids eye contact</span></li></ul></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">This list is not all inclusive, but these are some of the key signs of spotting human trafficking victims.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">How to Report Trafficking:</span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">If you see a victim, or even suspect you see a victim, call 9-1-1. The Dothan Police Department has told us they would rather for people to call them and it turns out to be a false alarm than for people to do nothing and someone remains a victim of human trafficking.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">You can also call the National Human Trafficking Hotline 1-888-3737-888.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Don't ignore this crime. Learn more about it and help. One person can save someone's life by simply making a phone call. If it was your daughter or son who was a victim of human trafficking, you would want someone to call and help them.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.loveinactionministries.com/#/human-trafficking" target="_blank">Click here</a>&nbsp;</b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">to visit the Human Trafficking Awareness page on Love In Action's website to learn more.</span></span></div>Ken Tuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17116738426773383623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178149776652215337.post-25786068202179034012016-01-16T20:12:00.000-06:002016-01-16T20:12:33.823-06:00Spending time with homeless changes lives - yours and theirs<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T5kpWJyUgS4/VprvDfFJcDI/AAAAAAAAAf0/zXbqkQp8gHM/s1600/2016-01-16_164311346_16D0E_iOS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T5kpWJyUgS4/VprvDfFJcDI/AAAAAAAAAf0/zXbqkQp8gHM/s400/2016-01-16_164311346_16D0E_iOS.jpg" width="347" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LIA volunteer Tommy Swim takes time to talk with a homeless man<br />named Henry in Dothan, Alabama.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Taking time to talk with the homeless means everything to them. Too often they are ignored.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #141823;">When people are ignored, their self esteem gets lower and lower until, over time, they believe they have no value and accept that living on the streets is as good as it gets.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823;">When our Love In Action volunteers show the homeless love and compassion by simply sitting down to listen to them and talk with them, the homeless realize they do matter. They discover, sometimes for the first time in their lives, someone really does care about them. They see, hear and experience the love of Jesus Christ in action.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #141823;">I thank all of Team LIA for allowing the love of Jesus to flow through you in so many beautiful ways. Sometimes it's through a hug, a smile, a&nbsp;prayer, taking time to listen, or by showing up to volunteer. The homeless know you could be anywhere else, yet you chose to be there to help them.</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #141823;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #141823;">It may be on Saturdays to wash their clothes or serve them a warm meal. It may be serving on Thursday evenings at the Samaritan Clinic. The simple fact is you are giving of your time to make a difference in somebody else's life. Thank you.</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #141823;"><br /></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #141823;">Jesus says in Matthew 25:40, "</span></span><span style="background-color: white;">as you did it to one of the least of these&nbsp;</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-24045C" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-ESV-24045C&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference C&quot;&gt;C&lt;/a&gt;)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white;">my brothers, you&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white;">did it to me."</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As we serve others, we are really serving Jesus. That's life changing once you let it soak in.</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Taking time to spend with the homeless can be&nbsp;life changing. It was for me more than 16 years ago when I bet a homeless person for the first time. His name was Nathaniel, and we were on the streets of Atlanta.</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I saw a man with no hope, just existing, but not living.&nbsp;Darkness filled his eyes; no light,&nbsp;no spark of hope. My heart started breaking. After 30-40 minutes of listening to and&nbsp;talking and praying with Nathaniel, he went his way and we went ours.</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, just before he disappeared in the dark Atlanta night, he turned around and yelled, "Thanks for not ignoring me." God used those words to&nbsp;completely break my heart. My life was forever changed, and I'm forever thankful.</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over the years, I've been&nbsp;blessed to meet many wonderful people the rest of society chooses to ignore, laugh at, and call a blight on society. They may be homeless, but they are God's children. He loves them just as much as He loves you and me.</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As Matthew Barnett of the Los Angeles Dream Center said nearly 15 years ago, "Once you put yourself in another man's shoes you will never be the same."</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Those words still ring as true today as they did then.</span></span>Ken Tuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17116738426773383623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178149776652215337.post-70681272798419890602016-01-14T20:36:00.001-06:002016-01-14T20:39:03.005-06:00January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a2iqvA5OaB4/VphbBpimGKI/AAAAAAAAAfk/egf0VbHKOBs/s1600/NivoSlider_JanuaryHTAwareness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a2iqvA5OaB4/VphbBpimGKI/AAAAAAAAAfk/egf0VbHKOBs/s400/NivoSlider_JanuaryHTAwareness.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Traffickers love silence. And secrecy. They love the fact that most people would love to ignore this problem. But millions of victims are praying that you don’t. Sexual slavery is literally all around you at this very moment.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Red flags are everywhere, yet most of us don’t realize they are indeed red flags. If you see or suspect anything from this list (even though you might think it is minor), <b>please call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline at 1-888-3737-888 to report what you saw. You could very well save someone’s life.</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and Love In Action recently held our big awareness event as Tajuan McCarty came to Dothan, Ala., to share her story and challenge a large crowd to do something to fight this horrible crime, which enslaves more than 21 million people worldwide.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will be blogging more this month to help educate you about human trafficking. That's the key. We must educate ourselves about it, and then act on what we know. Don't turn your heads. Don't ignore it. Someone's son and daughter are being trafficked in your city. Pray it never happens to your children, and know the signs to protect your children and others.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are some tips on how to spot victims of human trafficking. Learn them and help us in this fight.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LIVING CONDITIONS</span></b><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The individual in question:</span><br /><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is not free to leave or come and go as they please</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is under 18 and is providing commercial sex acts</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is in the commercial sex industry and has a pimp/manager</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is unpaid, paid very little, or is paid only through tips</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Works excessively long and/or unusual hours</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Owes a large debt and is unable to pay it off</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Was recruited through false promises concerning the nature and conditions of his/her work.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">High security measures exist in the work and/or living conditions (e.g. opaque windows, boarded up windows. bars on windows, barbed wire, security cameras, etc.</span></li></ul><br /><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BEHAVIOR</span></b><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The individual in question:</span><br /><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is fearful, anxious, depressed, submissive, tense, or nervous/paranoid</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Exhibits unusually fearful or anxious behavior after bringing up “law enforcement”</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Avoids eye contact</span></li></ul><br /><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">HEALTH</span></b><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The individual in question:</span><br /><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lacks health care</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Appears malnourished</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shows signs of physical and/or sexual abuse, physical restraint, confinement or torture</span></li></ul><br /><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LACK OF CONTROL</span></b><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The individual in question:</span><br /><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Has few or no personal possessions</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is not in control of his/her own identification documents (I.D. or Passport)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is not in control of his/her own money, no financial records or bank account.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is not allowed to speak for themselves (a third party may insist on being present and/or translating)</span></li></ul><br /><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">OTHER</span></b><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The individual in question:</span><br /><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Claims of “just visiting” and inability to clarify where he/she is staying/address</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lack of knowledge of whereabouts and/or do not know which city he/she is in</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Loss of sense of time</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Has numerous inconsistencies in his/her story</span></li></ul><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">**<i>This list courtesy of Nita Belles. Author of In Our Backyard</i></span><br /><div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For more information and tips, <a href="http://www.loveinactionministries.com/#/human-trafficking" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">click here to visit our website.</span></a></span>Ken Tuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17116738426773383623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178149776652215337.post-50564911679867028952016-01-10T20:32:00.000-06:002016-01-10T20:32:21.489-06:00One person can make a difference<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SHbHsNH8e28/VpLMfZvxFpI/AAAAAAAAAfU/A2G1JCq-C5w/s1600/DSCN1477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SHbHsNH8e28/VpLMfZvxFpI/AAAAAAAAAfU/A2G1JCq-C5w/s320/DSCN1477.jpg" width="276" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Most of us dream of making a difference in the world, but quickly come to our own conclusion that we can't really do much. Nothing could be further from the truth, and we were reminded of that in a powerful way Friday night.</div><div><br /></div>Our dear friend and sister Tajuan McCarty shared her testimony Friday night at our "Breaking the Silence: A Voice of Freedom and Hope" event. Tajuan's life truly shows the love, mercy and grace of God. After a dysfunctional childhood, being sexually exploited through human trafficking, drug abuse and spending time in jail and prison, Jesus wrapped His loving arms around her and brought her out of the darkness into his marvelous light.<div><br /></div><div>Tajuan said something Friday night that I'm going to quote often. Of course, I'll give her the credit. :-)</div><div>She said, "One person can make a difference. If you help one person, you've made a difference."</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Jesus reached Tajuan through a woman she didn't know. Lisa Richardson was trying to reach out to prostitutes in Birmingham when Tajuan met her. Tajuan wasn't being exploited through human trafficking at that time, but she knew the life and what a person trapped in that life would need to hear and see to accept help. Lisa asked how she knew about that, and Tajuan told her she had been trafficked for sex in 48 states and in Canada and Mexico.</div><div><br /></div><div>Instead of judging and condemning her, Lisa kept loving and encouraging Tajuan. Through her love and compassion, Tajuan surrendered to Jesus. Later she would open The WellHouse, a safe home for women escaping human trafficking. This ministry has helped thousands of women.</div><div><br /></div><div>What if Lisa thought she couldn't do anything, because she didn't think she could reach prostitutes for Jesus? What if she decided she couldn't do anything to help Tajuan? Thankfully, Lisa trusted Jesus and allowed Him to work through her. Look at all of the lives she has touched by showing the love of Jesus to Tajuan.</div><div><br /></div><div>Who reached you for Jesus? What if that person decided he or she couldn't do anything and gave up? Your life would be different, and your eternity definitely would not be as wonderful as it will be.</div><div><br /></div><div>When I look back I think about all the people who had a positive influence on my life before I surrendered my life to Jesus. My parents, siblings, friends and some ministers definitely played big parts in leading me to Jesus. But there is one person in particular I often think about and thank God for him.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was a teenager playing softball for my church. I was a very intense and aggressive competitor. No matter the sport, when I was on the field or court I wanted to win, and I'd rip your head off to do it. I had a short temper as well. One of my teammates was a man named Mike Alsop. I blew up at him several times. I look back and think he had every right to snap back and call me a young punk, among &nbsp;other adjectives. But he didn't. He showed great patience with me.</div><div><br /></div><div>Mike's treatment of me stuck with me, and still does. Instead of punching me, he showed the love of Jesus to me. I haven't seen nor talked with Mike since I was 18, but I still think of him and thank God for him.</div><div><br /></div><div>What if Mike would have punched me or cussed me out? He didn't. He made a difference in my life that has stayed with me more than 30 years later.</div><div><br /></div><div>Don't believe the lie that you can't make a difference. You can. You can make a difference in one person's life. Who knows, you may be the person God wants to work through to reach the next Tajuan or the next Billy Graham.</div><div><br /></div><div>I promise one thing. Once you make a difference in one person's life, you will ask God to keep using you to touch other lives for His glory.</div><div><br /></div></div>Ken Tuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17116738426773383623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178149776652215337.post-38502115352794851102016-01-07T08:09:00.002-06:002016-01-07T08:09:53.367-06:00High expectations for 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-agJ5WJcIhG0/Vo5xhwSi0SI/AAAAAAAAAfE/8RRIRUPIGoI/s1600/jae-hyun-energy-picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="347" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-agJ5WJcIhG0/Vo5xhwSi0SI/AAAAAAAAAfE/8RRIRUPIGoI/s400/jae-hyun-energy-picture.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #656565; font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #656565; font-family: Helvetica;">As the New Year begins many of us begin it with a fresh perspective and excitement. It's always good to reflect and establish goals. It's like a fresh start.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #656565; font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #656565; font-family: Helvetica;">As we enter our 16th year of ministry at Love In Action International Ministries, I have great expectations about what God will do this year. It's not just because it's a new year, but it's a real expectation I have in my spirit.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #656565; font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #656565; font-family: Helvetica;">The last two months of 2015 I spent a lot of time with God, uninterrupted by work or the normal distractions due to the major health issues I battled. Through it all God kept speaking into my spirit while healing me. He refocused me and put a fresh and greater fire in my heart to grow closer to Him and to be used by Him to lead the lost to Jesus.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #656565; font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #656565; font-family: Helvetica;">There are things He's shown me about what He wants to accomplish in our hometown of Dothan, Ala., and in the other countries where LIA shares the Gospel of Jesus Christ - Philippines, Myanmar, Pakistan and Haiti. I will share more specifics in the weeks to come.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #656565; font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #656565; font-family: Helvetica;">My prayer for 2016 is for all of us to grow closer to Jesus and that God will work through LIA to lead thousands, tens of thousands to Jesus this year. It will take all of us working together. God didn't call any of us to do this alone. It takes the Body of Christ working together, and that has always been a hallmark of LIA.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #656565; font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #656565; font-family: Helvetica;">We need your continued prayers, financial support, volunteer time, and donation of items such as food and hygiene products. Together, God has done great things over the past 15 years. Together, God will do even bigger things in 2016.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #656565; font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #656565; font-family: Helvetica;">Please share with others what God is doing through LIA. Share our LIA Updates, Facebook posts and blogs. Also, I am available to come talk to your church, civic groups, etc. Just contact me and we can schedule times and dates. My email address is <a href="mailto:ken.tuck@loveinactionministries.com" target="_blank">ken.tuck@loveinactionministries.com</a>. Our phone number is 334-494-4995.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #656565; font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #656565; font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #656565; font-family: Helvetica;">Thanks and God bless each of you. Happy New Year.</span>Ken Tuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17116738426773383623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178149776652215337.post-30914082648458171532016-01-01T21:21:00.000-06:002016-01-01T21:21:09.696-06:00Beheaded for his faith in JesusI received very sad news tonight. A good brother from the Philippines contacted me to report that a Christian had been killed and beheaded in a city where we sponsor a pastor.<br /><br />I am leaving names of people and of the cities out of this blog, because the factions doing the killing could somehow find this blog and take further action against our Christian brothers and sisters.<br /><br />The killing happened last night, New Year's Eve, and it was carried out by radical Muslims. This murder, which is not uncommon in areas where radical Islamics live, is persecution of the worst form.<br /><br />As you read this, ask yourself, would I proclaim to be a Christian in this area and others like it around the world? Here in the US it's easy to say we are Christians. There are light forms of persecution, but nothing like many face around the world. When they proclaim to follow Jesus, they really mean it, because it could very well mean their lives.<br /><br />The church where one of our beloved indigenous brothers is pastor gathered to celebrate the ending of 2015 and the beginning of 2016. They were going to eat together and then pray and worship Jesus.<br /><br />When this one family arrived, the father told everyone he was going to walk to their nearby house and bring back the duck that would be dinner. He never returned. When they found him, he had been shot in the back, stabbed five times in the back, and beheaded. The killers carried him to a nearby cemetery and dropped him on the ground with a note that read, "We brought him here for easy burial."<br /><br />One person witnessed the murder and now fears for his life. Justice as we know it usually doesn't happen in areas like this one, so those doing the killing will probably not see any jail time.<br /><br />The man killed was once a Muslim and persecuted the church that he would later call his church. Though it was hard, the pastor witnessed to him, sharing the love of Jesus and telling him of the salvation that only comes from Jesus. This man surrendered his life to Jesus, and soon his entire family was following Jesus.<br /><br />Where there is Islamic extremists, there is often a price to be paid for converting from Islam to Christianity. The lesser punishment is banishment from families and friends and treated like a third-rate citizen. The harshest is dying for your faith, or a family member is killed, or both.<br /><br />My heart breaks. It's senseless, irrational, inhumane, evil. I have friends who don't believe as I do. Some are Muslim, Buddhist, and other religions. Some don't believe in anything. It's never once entered my mind to persecute or hate them. I love them and I pray for them, and yes, I have humbly shared Jesus with them. I would consider myself a bad friend if I didn't. Even more important, I wouldn't be a true follower of Jesus if I didn't share the Gospel with them.<br /><br />What happened in the Philippines was pure evil, men being used by the devil to intimidate other Christians in that area.<br /><br />I'm asking you to join with me to pray for the family and everyone at the small church. God knows all of their names. I'm also asking you to join me in praying for the killers. They need Jesus just like you and me. Remember, Saul persecuted the church, even giving the OK to kill Christians, such as Stephen. But, Jesus changed his heart. Saul became Paul and he ended up writing close to three quarters of the New Testament.<br /><br />The man who died was once with those who persecuted the church. Now, he is with Jesus. If he could speak to us, he would say it was worth it. His family, though, is hurting. They celebrate the fact their father, husband, brother is in Heaven, but they hurt and miss him.<br /><br />So, would you live for Jesus in this town, even if it meant being killed? I hope we can all answer yes, because Jesus is worth it. He thought we were all worth dying for on the cross.<br /><br />Thank you for your prayers.Ken Tuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17116738426773383623noreply@blogger.com0